21 August Solar Eclipse Eye Safety

As we all look forward to the August 21st, 2017 solar eclipse, please pay close attention to the following safety recommendations:

In and around Atlanta, it is NOT safe to directly look at the eclipse without proper eye protection…not even for a few seconds. Temporary, and sometimes permanent loss of vision may occur if we fail to take proper safety precautions. This damage will occur painlessly since the cells in the retina that are damaged during the eclipse do not have any pain receptors. Although in Atlanta there will be a 97% eclipse, only 100% eclipses may be safely viewed without proper eye protection and even then, only for the exact amount of time of that 100% eclipse…not before and not after. So, in Atlanta, do not directly view without certified ISO (International Organization of Standardizations) eye protection.

It is only safe to view the eclipse if you wear special certified and verified eclipse glasses. NASA has released a list of vendors that are approved. Please do NOT purchase your eclipse glasses from any other vendor…only purchase them from one of the following approved manufacturers and purchase them directly from that vendor. All approved glasses will be stamped with both the ISO approved symbol as well as the manufacturer’s name:

American Paper Optics (Eclipseglasses.com)

Rainbow Symphony (Eclipse shades)

Thousand Oaks Optical (Silver-Black Polymer and SolarLite)

TSE 17

Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold Film)

Be sure to inspect your approved glasses to ensure that they are ISO and manufacturer stamped and inspect the lenses looking for any scratches or defects in the lenses. Do not use them if they are scratched, wrinkled or more than three years old.

NASA has found that several vendors NOT listed above are selling eclipse glasses that contain the ISO stamp even though they do NOT meet the required safety standard for direct viewing of the eclipse. DO NOT BUY THEM. Only purchase from the NASA approved vendors.

In Atlanta, the eclipse with take place from 1:05 pm until 4:01 pm. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 2:36 pm and will last for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

It is NOT safe to view the eclipse directly with any of the following:

Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark they are and no matter how many pairs you put together.

Through any binoculars, telescopes or cameras (even cell phone cameras) without certified lenses that are approved and manufactured specifically for that device. It is NOT safe to view through these devices even if you are wearing approved direct viewing eclipse glasses. These approved direct viewing eclipse glasses are only safe to be used for direct viewing without looking through binoculars, telescopes or cameras.

If you have any questions, please feel free to go to the NASA.GOV website or contact our office at 404-233-3513.